Thoughts on everyday life and inspiring others to contribute to life in a positive way.

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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Answering The Call

Back in March of
1979, I had a team playing in the state championship game.It was a terrific group of kids.They were hardworking, never ever quit, hard-nosed-
you name it, they were all of that.They
were also young.That year, I graduated
five seniors, three of whom started.In
that particular game, it was close.As I
recall, we were up by three, maybe four points in the third quarter, and then
my “star” picked up his fourth foul.We
had one quarter and some quarter to go.My
“star” was my leading scorer, second on the team in rebounds.He led from the free throw line.He was second in assists.He was my acknowledged leader.Naturally, I made the decision to pull him
until we absolutely needed him, sometime in the fourth quarter.I couldn’t shake the feeling that our season
might come to an abrupt end.But because
I was the coach and because the kids looked up to me, I put on my brave
face.Heck, in that particular case,
appearance was everything.

I pulled a
sophomore from the bench to take the “star’s” place.Rod would never be considered a “star” by any
stretch of anyone’s imagination.Quiet,
unassuming, Rod was the type of guy who was the epitome of the definition of “role
player.”

All Rod did
during the stretch that the “star” was on the bench was grab two crucial
defensive rebounds, snare an offensive rebound and put it back up for a score, block
two shots, and collected one steal.He
could have folded.The team could have folded.After all, we were a young team.My point guard, another sophomore and the
brother of the “star” kept the team together.Yet another sophomore picked up the scoring slack.

Answering The
Call.

I have a nephew,
Rick, a fireman who is also an EMT.Doesn’t matter about the weather.Doesn’t matter about the time of day.When there is a call, Rick and his team are on the run to the rescue.My wife, Kim, knew from the fifth grade that
she wanted to teach Physical Education.Just knew it.It was her dream.Her love.And, that’s what she does even now, oh so many years later.I have teachers in my building who spent 40
plus years standing in front of kids teaching their craft.Many of those same teachers, and other teachers
who are nowhere near 40 years in front of a classroom, are teaching way beyond
the “curriculum” and teach life, and teach love, and teach service to others, and
teach and offer hope.

Answering The
Call.

Noah had a
decision to make according to the story.Build a big ol’ boat and collect the animals.I imagine that his neighbors ridiculed
him.Called him names.Probably thought he was a tad crazy.Jonah tried to run and hide, ignoring his
call.Legend says that he was swallowed
and spewed up on shore.Now frankly,
getting swallowed is one thing, getting spewed out is quite another.Eventually, he went and did what he was
supposed to do in the first place.

Answering The
Call.

I think each of
us has a calling.I think each of us is
called.Some are called to great and
glorious things.Some are called to do
routine things that perhaps aren’t noticed without an untrained eye.Those are the ones who make the world . . .
our world . . . go round and round.They
are the ones who help us to function, who play a significant part, yet who
sometimes go unnoticed.

Answering The
Call.

Some are called
heroes.Some just go about their
business, their work, spend their time.Some are happy.Some, well, not
so much.Some happily Answered Their
Call, while others chose a different path and answered a different call.We’ve all answered one call or another.Each of us.Each of us don our work clothes, grab our lunch pail, and set about to do
the work we signed up for.Each of
us.We’re all a part of it, you and me,
and the others.One no better, one no
less than the other.Each of us . . .
all of us . . . Answered The Call.The
Call of Life.Something to think about .
. .